Stamford Food Scrap Recycling Initiative

Share & Bookmark, Press Enter to show all options, press Tab go to next option
Print

Food Scrap Recycling

The goal is to reduce the amount of garbage our city sends to landfills by diverting food scraps from residents’ homes and turning them into compost.  Currently, this program is not open to Stamford schools or businesses

When and Where?

Residents can now bring their food scraps to the Katrina Mygatt Recycling Center during normal operating hours.

The drop off site is in the first bay on the left as you drive in. There is a large sign and Home Depot containers for depositing your bagged food scraps. 

Other locations to drop off your food scraps:

  • Spring through Fall residents may bring their food scraps to the once a month recycling events at Scofield 
  • Fairgate Farms (129 Stillwater Ave) accepts food waste 24 hours/7 days a week.

What Can be Composted? 

All table scraps - raw or cooked - plus items like dairy, meat, and cooked food not compostable in a backyard pile can be recycled.

  • Leftover and Spoiled Food 
  • Fruits & Vegetables, including peels/rinds (No stickers, bands, or ties)
  • Meat & Poultry (smaller bones ok)
  • Fish & Shellfish (no oyster or clam shells)
  • Dairy Products
  • Bread & Pasta
  • Rice & Grains
  • Egg Shells
  • Chips & Snacks
  • Nuts & Seeds
  • Coffee Grounds & Tea Bags (no staples)
  • Cut Flowers

What is NOT Accepted in the Food Scrap Program

  • Plastic bags
  • Wipes
  • Trash
  • Plastic, glass, metal items
  • Paper and cardboard items currently part of Stamford’s weekly curbside recycling program.
  • Clam and oyster shells \
  • Large meat bones
  • Stickers or staples
  • Paper plates, paper towels, and paper napkins

Where to Buy Supplies

You can buy an optional home recycling kit for $20 (sold at cost) from the City. Cash or check only.

  • Stamford Government Center: 888 Washington Blvd; Cashier’s Office, 8:30am-4pm Monday-Friday
  • The Stamford Scale House (near Katrina Mygatt): 101 Harbor View Ave, 6am-2pm Monday-Saturday

The kit includes a countertop bin that is wide enough to comfortably scrap a plate and a 6-gallon transport bin with a handle that locks closed and is small enough to fit in your car.

Of course, compostable bags of many sizes and countertop food scrap containers can be purchased online or at retail stores.  Make sure any bags you buy are compostable, not just recyclable. If you choose to line your bins with compostable bags, please DO NOT KNOT THEM CLOSED.

Why it Matters

Food scraps are one of the largest components of trash sent to landfills and incinerators.  Decomposing in landfills, food waste is a major source of methane – a powerful greenhouse gas.  But food waste is not trash; it is a resource that can be turned into compost that enriches our soil.

The City of Stamford landfills 85,000 tons of garbage each year costing $93/ton. 

Questions?  Want to Volunteer?

Email your questions about volunteering to help with this program or about home food scrap recycling:  stamfordfoodrecycling@gmail.com.   

For questions or suggestions about the Recycling Center, email the Recycling & Sanitation Department.

Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents.
They can be downloaded by clicking on the icons below.

Acrobat Reader Download Acrobat Reader Windows Media Player Download Windows Media Player Word Viewer Download Word Viewer Excel Viewer Download Excel Viewer PowerPoint Viewer Download PowerPoint Viewer